Apr 22

Apr 22 Weekend Preview 4/23 - 4/25

Aural Wes

weekendpreview

Mel Hsu (+three foals)

BuHo // Friday 8:30 PM

Facebook Event

Raised as a classical cellist, Melanie Hsu rethinks Christmas time music’s typically soothing “eggnog” genre into jazzy lullabies. She’s turning BuHo into an alumni throwdown house as the live set will be accompanied by recent Wes grads (name-dropping:) Jessica Best, Mariana Quinn-Makwaia, Claire Randall, Sam Sontag, Sam Long, Eric Seligman, Josh Smith, Hea-Ream Lee, and Siri Carr. As Hsu says herself, she has “officially kidnapped” the group, and it’s going to be awesome.

<a href="http://melaniehsu.bandcamp.com/album/call-home-the-crow">Call Home the Crow by Mel Hsu</a>

Preceding Hsu’s set is a performance by the Three Foals.

Battle of the Bands

Eclectic // Friday 10 PM

Facebook Event

It’s that time of year again. When Wesleyan’s sweatiest/dangerous-est/most impassioned musicians gather to duke it out for the coveted opening slot at Spring Fling 2015. I am referring to Battle of the Bands. Lets have a rundown of this years gladiators as we enter the melodic arena.

10:15 - Electric Company - Boasting a sick catalog of covers including the late great J. Hendrix himself, this band occupies a sweet spot between 70’s psych rock and 90’s grunge. Preferred Gladiator Weapon: Morning Star/Flail
10:40 - Overcoats - Delightfully atmospheric “electro folk soul” from two seniors who harmonize effortlessly over reverbed guitar and ambient synths. Preferred Gladiator Weapon: Poison Darts
11:05 - Phatrabbit - Guitar-based Indie rock infused with teenage heartbreak, instrument swapping, and passionate yelping/singing. Preferred Gladiator Weapon: Weighted Net and Trident
11:30 - Schwab Moody indie trio with tight, twisting guitar and bass parts laid over mellow 90’s inspired alt-tunes. Preferred Gladiator Weapons: A lot of very small knives
11:55 - MFDP - Capital ‘R’ Rockers with a big sound based in the styles of the Black Keys and other modern-day guitar melters. Preferred Gladiator Weapon: Sword & Shield
12:20 - The Double Twins - Electro Pop with danceable beats, sweet keyboard riffs and enough groove to give you Electric Zoo flashbacks. Preferred Gladiator Weapon: Lightsaber

Jaques Renault (+Eppard & M. Vaughan)

ADP Grotto // Friday 11 PM

Facebook Event

Jacques Renault “used to be a woodcutter until he quit that job because of his weight. He then went to other jobs, working as a bartender at the Roadhouse in Twin Peaks…” He's a DJ and producer who runs Let’s Play House, a wild and fun disco house techno party that roves the world. Mellow disco beats will start late and play late into the night, so get a good night’s sleep on Thursday.

Mr. Vaughn, a Virginia native, lived in Anne’s room last year and is a big fan of Mario Kart.

All the way from Oberlin, Ohio, Eppard is Kevin Messinger, inexplicably taking his name from Eppard Street in Falls Church, VA. Not to be confused with Josh Eppard of progressive rock band Coheed and Cambria or Joey Eppard of progressive rock band 3, Eppard makes dreamy trance party music.

Nick Hakim (+VIOLENT MAE & Overcoats)

Art House // Saturday 9:30 PM

Facebook Event

Nick Hakim isn’t impersonating James Blake, but rather echoing the best parts about James Blake’s music, which is to say, Nick Hakim’s got a goddamn soulful voice. Swapping electronic sounds for a collection of slow burning electric guitar riffs, Hakim sways in and out of the jazzy, bopping sound with impressive coos. He and his “golden voice” will be here from DC this Saturday.

“From our very own Harford, CT,” VIOLENT MAE will be here to hang out with their friend Nick and play some sulking folk tunes. They’ve performed all over Connecticut, so it’s about time they made it to Wesleyan.

JJ Mitchell and Hana Elion (both ‘15) come together to form Overcoats, an electro soul-folk duo that gives soulful, thoughtful harmonies a new definition. Mitchell and Elion’s voices melt into minimalistic soft synths to make a sound that’s both ethereal and hauntingly beautiful. It’s their debut show at Wesleyan, so come out and be mesmerized.

SPRING THING
Sneaky Sugars (+ Pearl)

200 Church // Saturday 11 PM

Facebook Event

Sneaky Sugars is really excited about spring, but maybe even more excited to be headlining their first show this weekend. This all freshman band plays energetic indie rock and their new singer, Mira, is making her debut. The event says to wear neon (or not) and that there will be free candy, so that’s sweet (haha). They promise a very lively show, so come get hopped-up on sugar (or whatever else you desire) and celebrate the arrival of spring.